Effects of covid-19 on the Boda transport business: a qualitative study with riders operating at Kabugo stage in Nakulabye

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of covid-19 on boda boda riders. The study also sought to examine the effect of covid-19 on boda boda business, find out the effect of covid-19 on income of boda boda riders, and establish the coping strategies used by boda boda riders during ciovid-19 pandemic. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology. Data was collected using an indepth-interview guide from a sample of 15 boda boda riders operating at Kabugo stage in Nakulabye. Interviews were audio-recorded using the recording application on a smart phone, transcribed and consequently analysed using the thematic and content analysis techniques. The study findings showed that Covid-19 greatly affected the income level and operations of the boda boda riders. The different covid-19 restrictions such lockdown and curfew hours were very stressing and hence prevented bod boda riders from making enough money during Covid-19 pandemic. The study revealed that most boda boda riders were faced with depression due to the failure to support their families since they were no longer working and lacked enough money to meet different needs. The resulting outcome was mass unemployment and this forced most boda boda riders to seek for low interest loans and engage in alternative investments for survival. It is important for government to avail different relief funds or low interest loans that can be accessed by such groups of people such as boda boda riders, who can utilize such finds to revive their livelihoods.